Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for September 2024

‘He was better today’: Cedar Falls’ Merrick edges Zuber in state’s fastest race ever

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Ankeny boys' coach Jon Lindaman called it maybe the greatest cross country showdown the state of Iowa has ever seen. Anybody who was there in Marshalltown on Thursday likely wouldn't disagree. In a matchup of the top two finishers at last year's Class 4A state meet, defending champion Ethan Zuber of Ankeny led the entire way in the Bobcat Invitational … [Read more...] about ‘He was better today’: Cedar Falls’ Merrick edges Zuber in state’s fastest race ever

Mohrhauser leads Jaguars to crown at C.R. Invite; Centennial boys place 3rd

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With defending champion and top-ranked Pleasant Valley bypassing the Cedar Rapids Invitational on Thursday, there wasn't much competition for the No. 3 Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. The Jaguars placed five runners in the top 15 and easily captured the team title with 35 points. Mount Vernon-Lisbon, the No. 2 team in Class 3A, placed second … [Read more...] about Mohrhauser leads Jaguars to crown at C.R. Invite; Centennial boys place 3rd

‘This was a great meet’: Ankeny girls place 5th among 20 teams at Bobcat Invite

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With a field of 134 runners, Thursday's Bobcat Invitational at Marshalltown provided somewhat of a state meet preview for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. "There were so many good runners, and it felt so cool to run here," said Ankeny junior Makenna Madetzke. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes placed fifth in the 20-team field. They finished with 174 … [Read more...] about ‘This was a great meet’: Ankeny girls place 5th among 20 teams at Bobcat Invite

Jaguars, Hawkettes take over top 2 spots in Class 5A; ACA remains No. 1 in 1A

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The state of volleyball in the city of Ankeny couldn't be much better. Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top two spots in Class 5A in the latest rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars (10-2) moved into the No. 1 spot after winning the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City High for the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes take over top 2 spots in Class 5A; ACA remains No. 1 in 1A

‘We all know we are capable of better’: Jags shoot 311, earn split at River Valley

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After shooting its worst score of the season on Wednesday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team focused on finding ways to get better. The Jaguars shot a 311 in a CIML Conference triangular meet at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. They lost to Waukee (308) by three strokes, but easily defeated Urbandale (369). "The message afterwards was that we all … [Read more...] about ‘We all know we are capable of better’: Jags shoot 311, earn split at River Valley

Ankeny golfers fall to Johnston, S.E. Polk in triangular meet at Jester Park

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The Ankeny boys' golf team shot a 305 in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday at Jester Park, losing to both Johnston and Southeast Polk in the process. The Dragons posted a 292 total to edge Southeast Polk by two strokes. The Hawks fell to 1-5 in the conference. "We had some good (scores) and some that were not so good today," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers fall to Johnston, S.E. Polk in triangular meet at Jester Park

‘They just scrapped and wanted it more’: Warriors halt Ankeny’s winning streak

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The Waukee volleyball team committed nine serving errors during Tuesday's match against visiting Ankeny. On most nights, it would be tough to overcome that many "free" points for your opponent. But ninth-ranked Waukee played so well in every other aspect of the game that it didn't matter. The Warriors avenged Saturday's loss to No. 4 Ankeny at the Marj … [Read more...] about ‘They just scrapped and wanted it more’: Warriors halt Ankeny’s winning streak

‘We really took control’: Jaguars sweep past Urbandale in dominating fashion

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With a dominating win on Tuesday, the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team likely wrapped up the No. 1 spot in the next Class 5A rankings to be released on Thursday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars romped to a 25-10, 25-4, 25-7 victory over visiting Urbandale in a CIML Conference match. They improved to 2-0 in the … [Read more...] about ‘We really took control’: Jaguars sweep past Urbandale in dominating fashion

‘We had a good night’: Ankeny swimmers dominate double dual at Mason City

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Ankeny girls' swimming coach Dustin Rhoads is a big fan of the Mason City pool. His team may get another chance to compete there. Ankeny traveled to Mason City on Tuesday for a double dual meet against the host River Hawks and Des Moines Hoover. The Hawkettes easily defeated both teams, winning all but one event overall. "We had a good night," said … [Read more...] about ‘We had a good night’: Ankeny swimmers dominate double dual at Mason City

Moss records career-high 12 tackles in first NFL start as Broncos fall at Seattle

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Former Ankeny Centennial and Iowa football star Riley Moss made a career-high 12 tackles in his first NFL start for the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Moss, a second-year cornerback, was credited with eight solo tackles and four assists in Denver's 26-20 loss to Seattle at Lumen Field. The Broncos became the first team since 2017 to record two safeties and two … [Read more...] about Moss records career-high 12 tackles in first NFL start as Broncos fall at Seattle

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mya Lei-Butters, Centennial volleyball

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Junior libero Mya Lei-Butters has helped the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to a 9-2 record and a No. 2 ranking in Class 5A. The Jaguars won all four of their matches on Saturday in the Little Hawk Invitational at Iowa City High to win the tournament for the fourth straight year. On Tuesday, Centennial rallied for a dramatic five-set victory over … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mya Lei-Butters, Centennial volleyball

‘It was a great weekend’: Jaguars win Little Hawk Invite title for 4th consecutive year

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There was no letdown for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. After rallying for a dramatic victory on Tuesday over defending Class 5A state champion Waukee Northwest, the second-ranked Jaguars traveled to Iowa City High on Saturday and won the Little Hawk Invitational for the fourth consecutive year. Centennial swept all four of its opponents in … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great weekend’: Jaguars win Little Hawk Invite title for 4th consecutive year

‘Everyone played so hard’: Hawkettes beat 4 top-10 teams, win Marj White Classic

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The Valley High School gym is turning into a second home for the Ankeny volleyball team. After sweeping their CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Valley, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes returned to the Bill Coldiron Fieldhouse on Saturday and captured the championship of the Marj White Classic. They won all five of their matches in the round-robin event, … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone played so hard’: Hawkettes beat 4 top-10 teams, win Marj White Classic

Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames

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It's usually important for a football team to win the battle of field position. It certainly was for Ankeny Centennial on Friday night. The Jaguars played almost the entire first half against visiting Ames in the Little Cyclones' territory, allowing them to build a 35-7 lead en route to a 55-14 victory. "Field position is a key, no question about … [Read more...] about Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames

‘We have to get better’: Hawks fall to 0-2 after losing rematch of 5A title game

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The last time Ankeny and Southeast Polk collided on the football field, it was for the Class 5A state championship at the UNI-Dome. But inside Ram Stadium on Friday night, the three-time defending champion Rams and Hawks battled to see who could pick up their first win of the season. Two scoring drives in the second half … [Read more...] about ‘We have to get better’: Hawks fall to 0-2 after losing rematch of 5A title game

Like a ‘well-oiled machine’, Centennial girls capture team title at Schmaltz Invite

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There was no rust for the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team to shake off. For the second time in three years, the fifth-ranked Jaguars captured the team title in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday. The meet was held at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. Centennial posted a score of 54 points, matching its winning total from … [Read more...] about Like a ‘well-oiled machine’, Centennial girls capture team title at Schmaltz Invite

Zuber races to season-opening victory, while Jaguars earn runner-up finish

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Ankeny's Ethan Zuber made a strong statement in his first cross country race of the season. The Ankeny Centennial boys' team also made a huge impression. Zuber, the defending Class 4A state champion, raced to a victory in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. He posted a time of 14 minutes 56.5 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to season-opening victory, while Jaguars earn runner-up finish

‘We beat some talented teams’: Hawks place 3rd, edge Jaguars at Ankeny Invite

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While the Valley boys' golf team dominated the Ankeny Invitational on Wednesday at Otter Creek Golf Course, the real battle was for second place. Valley, the defending the Class 4A state champion, shot a 280 to easily win the team crown. The next six squads all broke 300 as well and were separated by just four strokes. Dowling Catholic and Ankeny each … [Read more...] about ‘We beat some talented teams’: Hawks place 3rd, edge Jaguars at Ankeny Invite

‘I think I’m still in disbelief’: Jaguars rally for improbable win over reigning champs

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After initially leading two sets to none, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players found themselves with their backs against the wall. The third-ranked Jaguars were just one set away from sweeping No. 9 Waukee Northwest in their home opener on Tuesday. But in a twist of fate, Centennial was a mere one point away from … [Read more...] about ‘I think I’m still in disbelief’: Jaguars rally for improbable win over reigning champs